Gustine Unified School District

GUSTINE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

January 24, 2019 CSEA Negotiations Update

The District and CSEA held their third meeting on January 24, 2019, to continue to bargaining in good faith on reopener negotiations for the 2018-2019 school year.

The District restated its proposal for the 2018-2019 school year which includes:
• A 3.5 % increase to the salary schedule, retroactive to July 1, 2018; and
• A $100 increase to the District’s employer contribution for health benefits, retroactive to October 1, 2018 (increase from $13,200 to $13,300); and
• Maintaining the status quo of providing a $600 Bilingual stipend for eligible employees providing Bilingual services.

Unfortunately, CSEA rejected the District’s proposal and both parties will now seek the assistance of a State Mediator to resolve negotiations by filing a joint declaration of impasse to start that process. The District anticipates that mediation will not occur until later in the spring of 2019, depending on the mediator’s schedule.

When asked for comment, Superintendent Bryan Ballenger stated: “The District’s proposal provides a fiscally responsible raise that increases the salary schedule equally for all classified employees at the same percentage increase as agreed to with our teachers. The compensation package also includes increasing the District’s employer contribution for health benefits to $13,300 the same as teachers, keeping this valuable District benefit for classified employees among the highest in Merced County. I am hopeful that CSEA will reconsider their position so we can give classified employees their retroactive payments before the end of the school year.”

District 1-24-19 CSEA Negotiations Update